Marcelo Bielsa, the new coach for Lille, holds a press conference at the LOSC training center in Camphin-en-Pevele on May 23, 2017 (Image: DENIS CHARLET/AFP/Getty Images)

16:03Beren Cross

Jordan Ayew bid from Fulham

Swansea have turned down an £8m bid from Fulham for Jordan Ayew, according to Sky sources.

The Cottagers are keen to strengthen their attacking options following promotion to the Premier League and remain interested in a deal for the Ghana international.

Ayew ended last season as Swansea’s top scorer with 11 goals, including seven in the Premier League, but was unable to prevent them from suffering relegation.

The 26-year-old, who joined Swansea from Aston Villa in January 2017, has two years remaining on his contract at the Liberty Stadium.

Jordan Ayew holds off Oriol Romeu during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 (Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

15:26Beren Cross

Guillem Balague's thoughts

14:53Beren Cross

Vydra view from Derby

The latest big name to be linked with Leeds United this summer is Derby County striker Matej Vydra.

According to a number of reports, Leeds United are showing interest in the Czech forward, who plundered 22 goals for the Rams last season as they look to boost their striking options for the upcoming campaign.

The interest in Vydra comes as the club are in advanced negotiations with Uruguayan forward Abel Hernandez, who is a free agent after his contract at Hull expired, with the Derby striker likely to be an alternative target.

Leeds are yet to complete any transfers into the club this summer and will be unlikely to do so until a new manager is confirmed, following Paul Heckingbottom’s sacking at the start of June.

But should Leeds take their interest in Vydra further, what sort of player will they be getting? And what is the likelihood of Derby selling their leading goalscorer?

DERBY, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Matej Vydra of Derby County celebrates after scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Sunderland at iPro Stadium on March 30, 2018 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

14:14Beren Cross

Antonsson to Brescia?

According to the Italian press, Marcus Antonsson is interesting Brescia, after being linked there last summer. Today, Sport Witness are reporting the following.

Brescia is currently owned by former Leeds United chief Massimo Cellino, who purchased the Italian side after selling his remaining shares in the Championship club.

Gazzetta dello Sport have reported on players that could be arriving at Brescia this summer, and Antonsson one of those mentioned.

Cellino has ambitions to get his club back into Serie A and it’s likely there will be many coming and goings in this transfer window.

Antonsson was previously linked with the Lombardy club 12 months ago, but instead joined Blackburn Rovers on loan.

It’s expected the Swede will leave Leeds United in this transfer window and in recent weeks he’s been linked with a move back to his home country.

Antonsson has two years remaining on his Leeds United contract.

Marcus Antonsson in action during the League One match between Northampton Town and Blackburn Rovers at Sixfields on December 23, 2017 (Image: Pete Norton/Getty Images)

13:04Beren Cross

Jansson counting down

Sweden’s first game is on Monday against South Korea.

10:36KEY EVENT

Two new shops for United

Pre-season is always an exciting time for Leeds United fans, with whispers of new purchases circulating on social media and the promise of a new era.

But while the club are busy doing their own shopping in the transfer window, fans can now pick up their favourite Whites gear in one of two new club shops.

The Elland Road store is currently undergoing refurbishment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get yourself a Leeds shirt.

A new pop-up shop has opened at Leeds Bradford Airport , offering holiday-makers the chance to proudly display the Leeds badge abroad.

The Leeds United store at Elland Road is currently undergoing refurbishment

09:56KEY EVENT

Where we are at with Bielsa

So, no signature yet, but what has been reported up to now?

The latest, strongest reports came from Argentina late yesterday afternoon. Bielsa had reportedly agreed a one-year deal with the option to extend for a further 12 months next summer.

The attached report, translated, read:

“Marcelo Bielsa returns to direct in the Leeds United, of the second division of England.

“After his step frustrated by the French Lille, the Argentine will sit on the bank of the British team in search of promotion to the Premier League.

“El Loco, 62, will sign his contract for one season, although with the option to renew for another. The team comes from being 13th in the last tournament and with an ambitious project it will look for the title.

“Leeds will be the eleventh place for Bielsa as DT. In his career he went through Newell’s, Atlas and América (Mexico), Vélez, Espanyol and Athletic de Bilbao (Spain), Olympique de Marseille and Lille (France) and the national teams of Argentina and Chile.”

We wait for official confirmation.

09:07Beren Cross

Premier League fixtures

A little bit of breaking news which some of you may be interested in. The Premier League fixtures have been announced this morning. This is the opening weekend’s games.

11/08/2018 15:00 A.F.C. Bournemouth v Cardiff City

11/08/2018 15:00 Arsenal v Manchester City

11/08/2018 15:00 Fulham v Crystal Palace

11/08/2018 15:00 Huddersfield Town v Chelsea

11/08/2018 15:00 Liverpool v West Ham United

11/08/2018 15:00 Manchester United v Leicester City

11/08/2018 15:00 Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

11/08/2018 15:00 Southampton v Burnley

11/08/2018 15:00 Watford v Brighton

11/08/2018 15:00 Wolverhampton v Everton

09:05Beren Cross

Good morning

Welcome to Thursday’s live blog and what we hope will be the destination for news Marcelo Bielsa has been appointed Leeds United’s head coach.

The saga rumbles on and on and on. It is now 13 days since Paul Heckingbottom was sacked at United, on a day when Angus Kinnear promised there would be a quick appointment.

There is strong interest and a keenness to get this deal done on both sides, but the finer details are still taking time. We will have the latest here throughout the day.

Marcelo Bielsa shouts to his players during the pre-season friendly match between Atalanta BC and LOSC Lille at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on July 26, 2017 (Image: Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)